praying for the city
i’m not spouting anything new, others have said it, lamented it, and like me for the most part done nothing about it but generally the established church has abandoned the city. a few black churches hang on but for the most part they seem to be dying. i’m sure there are exceptions but far too few.
we have to remember that almost 50 percent of the ATL is anglo. where are the churches for them. and yes it would be great if we all spoke the same language, sang the same music, dressed the same dress, danced to the same beat, but God created diversity. i like worshipping with other cultures periodically. i enjoyed worshipping at Oasis Family Church a few weeks ago, but it’s not my style. i like the band, the guitars, the drums, the theater atmosphere, in other words i like what WRC does in worship. so are there some in the city that would respond to my style. probably, am i willing to sacrifice my comfort to reach them? i can cop out and say, “i don’t feel God calling me.” and I don’t but how about supporting those that do.
the other thing about the city. an outsider is not going to reach the city. you’ve got to get your hands dirty. you’ve got to smell the smells, walk the streets, meet the people, live there. so many have tried and failed. because at the end of the day they leave the city and return to their comfortable suburb homes. not bad, just not to plant a church if God called you to the city.
we are planting our first church in the city. largely African-American. peculiarplace church will be multi-cultural. and we want to see Lloyd succeed in the ATL. but although i pray, i haven’t begun to weep. God help me weep for your lost children of the city.
